When the tractor is lifted up by the bucket, the front wheels stop spinning. Why is this? Is it not good to lift the tractor up by the bucket?
Yes, that was probably the case of the rears' spinning. TNKAre the rear wheels still spinning when you lift the front wheels up?
I see you are in Alaska so I could see you spinning the rear wheels on ice or ice/snow scraping with the bucket lifting the front tires off the ground.
Good Info TNKIf the machine is in 2WD, the front wheels should spin by hand. (They are not connected to the engine nor rear wheels.)
Additionally, if the Xfer-case is LOCKED, the front wheels would not turn without at least one rear turning. (FRONT -n- REAR of machine locked together)
The ONLY way the engine could turn a front wheel whilst the rears are on the ground would be if there is an open differential in the Xfer-case. (I cannot think of any reason why a tractor would have an open diff in the Xfer case.)
Tractors have an open-diff in the rear axle so the operator can apply individual brake on either wheel to force torque to the other rear wheel.
For maximum straight-line traction, some machines allow locking all three (Rear, Xfer case, front) The machine would not turn..... but sure would be able to pull in a straight line.
TNKKKKKI am assuming you are in 4wd when seeing this?
If that is the case, check the driveshaft to front end or 4wd selector.
And no, lifting front end up is not harmful
+1If it's a 4wd and you lift the front tires off the ground and Both the front wheels quit moving, yet the rear wheels are moving.
#1 You don't have it in 4wd
#2 It's broken something